North Fork Trail to Blue Lake

Aspen - Snowmass

Blue Lake (12,435') is located 2.2 miles from North Fork Trailhead on Highway 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes. It fills a steep-walled bowl just east of the Divide below Twinning Peak (13,711') in the Mount Massive Wilderness. This moderate hike follows the North Fork of Lake Creek before splitting off on a steep climb through treeline to the lake. Visitors will enjoy light crowds, great fishing and quick access to high alpine landscapes on the hike to Blue Lake.

After splitting from the North Fork the Blue Lake Trail climbs 700' in just .5 miles to treeline

Cushion and mat plants cover the area, primary tundra constituents that help build soil beds by trapping organic debris. Over time, grasses and forbs will take hold in deeper soils to form plots of tundra turf